Michel Chatman of Weston, Florida Faces a Vehicular Homicide Charge After Allegedly Crashing Into and Killing a Bicyclist

Michel Chatman of Weston, Florida is facing a vehicular homicide charge for a crash in July of 2015 that killed bicyclist Michael Caine. Broward Judge John Hurley has imposed restrictions on Chatman’s driving and set bond at $30,000.

The alleged crash took place on July 17 last year along Bonaventure Boulevard near Duval Court. Chatman, 31, was driving a red 1991 Toyota MR2 when he allegedly struck Caine, 50, at around 5:30 p.m.

According to the police report, three witnesses purportedly identified Chatman as the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash. One of the witnesses told detectives that she allegedly saw two vehicles driving very fast in what appeared to be a “drag” race prior to the crash.

The police report states that Chatman told detectives that the other vehicle, a Volkswagen Jetta, had cut him off near State Road 84, and that he had tried to “catch up” to the speeding vehicle to find out why its driver was driving so fast. Chatman said the other driver switched lanes in front of him and slammed on the brakes, forcing Chatman to move to the right to avoid crashing into the car. Instead, Chatman allegedly crashed into Caine, who was riding his bicycle.

The police report says Chatman stayed at the scene after the crash and fully cooperated with authorities. Chatman only has three previous minor traffic tickets and no priors. He is married with a wife and two small children, according to news reports.

Caine was also a father with two adult sons, according to the press. His fiancée, Arlin Castellanos, told reporters that the bond set by Broward Judge John Hurley is too low for Chatman who, according to the arrest report, lived less than a mile away from the site of the crash. The woman said Chatman should have known better than to drive recklessly in a residential neighborhood, reports indicate.